IANAL, but I don't think a hostile work environment means "no one ever says something that is offensive", but rather an environment where that is normal and accepted. If we learn how to be more adult in our conversations, which includes:
* Trying not to offend
* Being open to accepting that we have
* Try not to repeat
* Accepting that others will make mistakes and can change their ways
...then we're not hostile. (But again, IANAL)
Given that being "non-political" is inherently not possible (see above posts regarding the inevitability of political issues affecting the workplace to enter the workplace), the above points may be hard, but are the more plausible option.
That doesn't mean ALL politics has to enter the office, but firing anyone that doesn't "check their politics at the door" just won't work.
And regardless of office rules, we as society need to learn these skills SOMEWHERE, because we've made it a social rule not to discuss these topics anywhere people might disagree. We're coming up on a few holidays, and I expect the "can't we just have a peaceful dinner and not discuss these stressful topics" to start making the annual rounds.
It's not regulations, it's society, and society isn't going away so we need to adjust it.
* Trying not to offend
* Being open to accepting that we have
* Try not to repeat
* Accepting that others will make mistakes and can change their ways
...then we're not hostile. (But again, IANAL)
Given that being "non-political" is inherently not possible (see above posts regarding the inevitability of political issues affecting the workplace to enter the workplace), the above points may be hard, but are the more plausible option.
That doesn't mean ALL politics has to enter the office, but firing anyone that doesn't "check their politics at the door" just won't work.
And regardless of office rules, we as society need to learn these skills SOMEWHERE, because we've made it a social rule not to discuss these topics anywhere people might disagree. We're coming up on a few holidays, and I expect the "can't we just have a peaceful dinner and not discuss these stressful topics" to start making the annual rounds.
It's not regulations, it's society, and society isn't going away so we need to adjust it.